The British, French and German foreign ministers declared Thursday that talks with Iran over its nuclear program had reached a "dead end" and the case should be referred to the U.N. Security Council.
According to the AP, they called for a special session of the International Atomic Energy Agency to decide the referral. This latest decision came two days after Iran broke U.N. seals at a uranium enrichment plant and said it was resuming nuclear research after a two-year freeze.
In a joint statement, the diplomats cited Iran's "documented record of concealment and deception" and charged that its government seems "intent on turning its back on better relations with the international community."
"From our point of view, the time has come for the U.N. Security Council to become involved," German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said after meeting with his French and British counterparts and the European Union's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana.
Steinmeier said the three countries would inform the board "that our talks with Iran have reached a dead end."
Solana said the EU and national governments were left with no choice but to call for Iran's referral. But he would not rule out a new round of negotiations with Tehran.
